South Korea’s exports jumped nearly 30 percent from a year earlier in February to mark the highest level ever recorded for the month, driven by growing demand for semiconductors amid the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, government data showed Sunday. Outbound shipments were worth $67.45 billion last month, up 29 percent from $54.2 billion a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The record exports came even as the number of working days dropped by three from a year earlier due to the Lunar New Year holiday that fell in February this year, unlike in January 2025. Per-day exports surged 49.3 percent year-on-year to $3.55 billion, surpassing the $3 billion mark for the first time ever. Exports turned to year-on-year growth in June last year and have since posted new record highs for each following month for nine consecutive months. Imports rose 7.5 percent to $51.94 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $15.51 billion, the largest figure ever recorded in the country’s history, according to the ministry. February also marks the 13th
Exports jump 29% to record Feb. high on surging chip demand
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